Bureau reports steady fund conditions, begins hiring and expands consumer outreach

Budget and staffing updates, plus outreach plans, were presented to the council.

Kara Munoz, the bureau’s assigned budget analyst, said the governor’s budget had been signed and that fund conditions for the bureau’s programs had not changed substantially since the last meeting. She verified that planned transfers into the Home Movers Fund were received and said the electronic repair and home furnishings funds were healthy.

Renetta Buckner, HR liaison, reported recruitment activity: the bureau has begun the hiring process for a flammability research test engineer and a two-year limited-term research data specialist to support the household movers fee-schedule and tariff-rate study. Candidates have also been selected for special investigator positions and final recruitment steps are underway.

Outreach and education: Deputy Bureau Chief Rita Wong reviewed publicity steps the Department of Consumer Affairs has taken to update bureau branding and social media, and noted redesigned consumer brochures will be available on the bureau website. The bureau ran National Consumer Protection Week posts and plans mattress sanitization trainings; staff will return to businesses trained to verify correct sanitization procedures. The bureau also plans application workshops for household movers in May to help applicants complete a lengthy licensing application process.

Council suggestions and next steps: council members recommended targeted National Moving Month outreach in May and outreach to trade associations to amplify bureau messaging. The bureau agreed to coordinate with industry groups and to post training materials and label examples online once finalized.

Ending: staff will monitor fund balances, continue recruitment and publish outreach materials and workshop schedules on the bureau website.